Chuck is the author of the published novels: Blackbirds, Mockingbird, Under the Empyrean Sky, Blue Blazes, Double Dead, Bait Dog,Dinocalypse Now, Beyond Dinocalypse and Gods & Monsters: Unclean Spirits. He also the author of the soon-to-be-published novels: The Cormorant, Blightborn (Heartland Book #2), Heartland Book #3, Dinocalypse Forever, Frack You, and The Hellsblood Bride. Also coming soon is his compilation book of writing advice from this very blog: The Kick-Ass Writer, coming from Writers Digest.

He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is an alum of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter’s Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, showed at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producers Ted Hope and Anne Carey. Together they co-wrote the digital transmedia drama Collapsus, which was nominated for an International Digital Emmy and a Games 4 Change award.

Chuck has contributed over two million words to the game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP). He was a frequent contributor to The Escapist, writing about games and pop culture.

Much of his writing advice has been collected in various writing- and storytelling-related e-books.

He currently lives in the forests of Pennsyltucky with wife, two dogs, and tiny human.

He is likely drunk and untrustworthy. This blog is NSFW and probably NSFL.

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Chuck Wendig is a novelist, screenwriter, and game designer. This is his blog. He talks a lot about writing. And food. And pop culture. And his kid. He uses lots of naughty language. NSFW. Probably NSFL. Be advised.

Now Available: The Kick-Ass Writer

1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience

The Official Description

The journey to become a successful writer is long, fraught with peril, and filled with difficult questions: How do i write dialogue? How do I build suspense? What should I know about query letters? Where do I start?

The best way to answer these questions is to ditch your uncertainty and transform yourself into a KICK-ASS writer. Wendig will show you how with an explosive broadside of gritty advice that will destroy your fears, clear the path, and help you find your voice, your story, and your audience.

You’ll explore the fundamentals of writing, learn how to obtain publication, and master the skills you need to build an army of dedicated fans. No task is too large or small for the kick-ass writer. With his trademark acerbic wit and gut-punch humor, Wendig will explain:

How to build suspense, craft characters, and defeat writer’s block.

How to write a scene, an ending — even a sentence.

Blogging techniques, social media skills, and crowdfunding.

How to write a query letter, talk to agents, and deal with failure — and success!

Whether you’re just starting out or you need one more push to get you over the top, two things are certain — a kick-ass writer never quits, and Chuck Wendig won’t let you down in this high-octane guide to becoming the writer you were born to be!

Hey, What The Hell Is This?

This is a compilation of a lot of the “25 Things” post from this here website. It contains a lot of stuff you’ve seen before, plus some new entries (crowdfunding! hybrid authors! writing a scene!). And the whole thing has been revised top to bottom — cleaned up and tightened with the EDITORIAL WRENCH. *ratchet ratchet ratchet*

Oh, and it’s my first writing book in print.

So, if you want my advice in hardcopy? That’s how you get it, thanks to Writer’s Digest.

Wait, Is It Still Super-Vulgar?

My writing talk tends to fall into the “hard-R NSFW” and “occasionally eye-bulgingly profane and probably NSFL” categories. This book ain’t quite as hardcore as all that, and is probably equivalent to a soft-R rating or even PG-13 rating. (The biggest edit in this case was, quite honestly, removing the instances of the word ‘fuck.’ Though I love the word, one hopes my writing and storytelling blather still holds up without that particular dash of spicy lingo.)

I am totally good with having a book of writing advice out there that isn’t quite as naughtily-tongued as this blog, because here some teachers and professors may be more comfortable using this material without having to first attack it with a black permanent marker or camping hatchet.

Why Should I Buy It?

Because, hey, it’s a whole bucket of writing tips in one place.

Because it’s the one way you can get my writing bloggerel in physical form. (Also, now that it has been summoned into thiscorporeal plane it can be killed by a pitchfork forged from nun-kissed steel. IT IS OUR ONLY HOPE WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE.)

Because it’s nicely organized! And has an index!

Because it refrains from every giving you the One True Way to be a writer and instead prefers the metric assload of optionscrammed in this here toolbox approach.

Because you want to give something back to this blog.

Because it’s this blog distilled down and oozed forth onto bookstore shelves and HOLY CRAP HOW AWESOME IS THAT? *vibrates through the floor*

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75 comments

Do you think you could code your links so they open in a new tab? I love to read your entries, but it’s irritating following a link you post and getting redirected away from the page. I know,I’m lazy and it’s a lot of effort to hit the back button, but this is the 21st century man! All links open in new windows/tabs.

This book is awesome. I’m an MFA student at City U Hong Kong and you not only say everything our mentors (like Justin Hill, James Scudamore to name a couple you might know) have been droning on and on and on about, but you say it way better. And it’s hip and hilarious too. Cheers!

I love your book. I loved the start:“The Internet is 55 percent porn and 45 percent writers.” That’ s what got me hooked. I came in for the porn but stayed for the funny, smart, and occasionally obscene stories about what it means and what it takes to be a writer. Well done, Mr. Wendig. Excellent job!

I picked up “The Kick-Ass Writer” at Barnes & Noble just a couple of days ago. I haven’t put it down since. I even take it to bed with me. It keeps me warm!

You had me at “A community of people who will share their neuroses and their drink recipes” and “The narrative Vagina!” Hahaha!!!!

I just stumbled upon your website by accident this afternoon while at work, and ordered your book (I have a Kindle, but something about page turning is my thing). Of course, I got a few teaser web pages to get me started, and I can’t wait to physically have the book in hand. I have few books and DVDs from The Great Courses, but they are “boring.” Just the teaser has already made me laugh, and think a lot about who I am, and I will keep my lamp fires burning, a cup o java in hand, and keep your pages turning until I get the hang of it! Great work!!!